“It is your blessing, the path God has chosen for you here on Earth. Whenever a man does that which gives him enthusiasm, he is following his Legend. However, not everyone has the courage to face up to his own dreams" – Paulo Coelho

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Monthly Archives: April 2013

It’s here, it’s here! Dewey’s Read-a-Thon! The event I have been looking forward to for around 11 months. Can’t believe we now have to read for 24 hours straight. To minimalize the Dewey posts I am going to update this post through-out the Read-a-Thon. If you are in need of your very own personal cheerleader let me know in the comment section. We will make this work!

My goal is to finish 6 books, participate in all the mini-challenges (I didn’t do any of them last time around) and to stay awake for the entire 24 hours. Of course I am going to blog-hop a little to cheer you all on.

Hour 1; 2 pm – 3 pm

Currently reading: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Time spent reading: 50 minutes
Pages read: 82

Number of books read: 0
Total time spent reading: 50 minutes
Total pages read: 82

Mini-challenges completed: 1

Current thoughts: I can’t believe I have never read this book before! I adore J.K.’s writing style and the extra notes of Professor Dumbledore give the book an extra dimension. Love it! A few people on Twitter have suggested the use of audiobooks. Hmm… food for thought.

Introductionary Questionnaire

What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
I am from the Netherlands and I live in a town 30 minutes from The Hague.

Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
I am looking forward to The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. I just love his humor and his enthousiasm for experiments.

Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Hmm… my mom bought me some German sausages, I love those! Add a little mustard and a bun and you’re good to go. Great Read-a-Thon meal!

Tell us a littlesomething about yourself!
Well, what do you want to know? My name is Kimberley, I am 23 years old and I am in the process of shedding all the extra pounds. I’ve started this blog to keep track of my journey. I have lost 23 kg’s so far by using Weight Watchers. I am in training to become a weightloss consultant and in September I am going to study nutrition and dietetics in The Hague to become a dietitian.

If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
Last time I did not stay awake for the entire 24 hours, I really want to make it this time. It’s my personal goal!

Number of books read: 1 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling)
Total time spent reading: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Total pages read: 132

Mini-challenges completed: 1

Current thoughts: I am having a hard time switching between reading and social media. I am trying to keep up with all of you, responding wherever I can but it sure is a challenge! I am skipping the second mini-challenge since it’s about poems… and let’s be honest for a second, I am not a talented poet at all. And by the way, I think I am behind on these challenges, aren’t I? Am I supposed to do the third challenge during this hour? I don’t have enough time left to read! It’s a good thing this Read-a-Thon lasts 24 hours.

Number of books read: 1 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling)
Total time spent reading: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Total pages read: 163

Mini-challenges completed: 1

Current thoughts: I am so into ‘Dead Ever After’ by Charlaine Harris! In previous books I had a really hard time remembering stuff that had happened. But this time Charlaine reminds us of all the important facts perfectly well and I can’t help but wonder who Sookie will end up with. What’s your guess? I think it’s going to be Sam… yup. But I am not going to share any spoilers, ’cause where’s the fun in that?

Number of books read: 1 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling)
Total time spent reading: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Total pages read: 225

Mini-challenges completed: 1

Current thoughts: My neck and back are killing me! I need to find a different place to read, so my muscles will stop bugging me. I really like ‘Dead Ever After’ so many things are finally coming together.

Number of books read: 1 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling)
Total time spent reading: 4 hours and 5 minutes
Total pages read: 262

Mini-challenges completed: 1

Current thoughts: I am going to switch books. I still need to finish ‘The 4-Hour Work Week’ by Timothy Ferriss and since it’s kind off a difficult written book (I am Dutch) I want to read it before exhaustion becomes a part of the game.

Number of books read: 1 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling)
Total time spent reading: 4 hours and 35 minutes
Total pages read: 282

Mini-challenges completed: 1

Current thoughts: I just realized I don’t have a lot of pictures of my Read-a-Thon adventure. I will try to take a few pics during the night. My neighbours are having a party and I really hope they won’t turn on any music. I can not read with music on the background! So far I am doing great. I don’t feel too tired but my back is still hurting. I am going to walk around a little with my Bebook in my hand. Let’s hope I won’t drop the damn thing…

Number of books read: 2 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling and The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss)
Total time spent reading: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Total pages read: 356

Mini-challenges completed: 1

Current thoughts: It’s time to move downstairs so I won’t keep my parents up all night. My plans for the night? Share a few pics, cheer readers on, participate in mini-challenges and finish ‘Dead Ever After’. The previous hour was kinda rough, I was really tired but I am wide awake at this moment.

On the left ‘Dead Ever After’ by Charlaine Harris. I really dislike this cover, I would have prefered to own the animated cover. And on the right you can see one of my favorite bookmarks from Hatchard’s (a very populair bookstore in London). I collect bookmarks and although this bookmark was free I am so happy with it. It reminds me of a great trip with my mom.

Hour 12; 1 am – 2 am

I haven’t read a single page. I have been to busy with social media, you guys are amazing!

Mini-Challenge: Picture it!

My reading nook, I adore all of my books though I probably own more e-books than paper versions, haha. The entire back of this Ikea case is packed! By the way, all pictures have been taken with my very old Iphone. In other words, sorry for the crappy quality.

Number of books read: 2 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling and The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss)
Total time spent reading: 8 hours and 5 minutes
Total pages read: 441

Mini-challenges completed: 2

Current thoughts: I think it’s the perfect time to start with a mini-challenge. I need a little distraction from all the reading.

Mid-Event Survey

How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired?
I am getting a little sleepy so I figured this would be the perfect time to sit behind my pc. But I am doing way better than I had anticipated.

What have you finished reading?
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling and The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris.

What is your favorite read so far?
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling, it was a pleasant surprise. Though I have no clue why I thought I wouldn’t like it. It’s part of the HP world after all…

What about your favorite snacks?
I have had so many snacks today… I am stuffed! Chocolate has been my main companion so far.

Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!
Oh, I sure did! Ehm… here are just a few:

Number of books read: 2 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling and The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss)
Total time spent reading: 9 hours and 15 minutes
Total pages read: 501

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Current thoughts: The sun is rising! It feels like I have just one more hour to go but I know that I need to get through another 8 hours. And I need to work tomorrow! How the hell am I going to do this? Why am I doing this again?! Oh, right, because of all the lovely readers and cheerleaders!

Number of books read: 2 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling and The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss)
Total time spent reading: 9 hours and 50 minutes
Total pages read: 557

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Current thoughts: I can not believe I’m still awake! My bed is calling me but I am trying to pretend I am deaf. I am currently reading ‘Dead Ever After’ by Charlaine Harris (just a few more pages to go!) and I really like it. I am not going to share any spoilers though. I will tell you that this time around the book does not dissapoint.

Number of books read: 3 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling, The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss and Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris)
Total time spent reading: 10 hours and 50 minutes
Total pages read: 625

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Current thoughts: I am so tired. I really want to go to bed now. I can’t…stay….awake… Let’s have some breakfast, perhaps that will do me good.

Number of books read: 4 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling, The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss, Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris and Online by Simone van der Vlugt)
Total time spent reading: 11 hours and 5 minutes
Total pages read: 640

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Current thoughts: I think breakfast has woken me up a little, at least, I hope so, cause we have 5 (!!!!) more hours to go. I am not giving up now, no way José!

Hour 19; 9 am – 10 am

Currently reading: The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs
Time spent reading: +/- 15 minutes
Pages read: 11

Number of books read: 4 (Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling, The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss, Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris and Online by Simone van der Vlugt)
Total time spent reading: 11 hours and 20 minutes
Total pages read: 651

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Current thoughts: Crapadoodle, I have falen asleep! I am so angry with myself, I was so damn close! Can’t believe this has happened… Well, I had a great time and I would like to thank y’all for the great experience, you guys rock!

Good luck to all of you and happy reading!

Social media
During the Read-a-Thon you can follow me on my social media accounts. I will be using Instagram, Twitter and Goodreads to keep you up-to-date. If you don’t have a social media account you can scroll down the page and click on the ‘sign me up!’ button. After this you will receive updates by mail.